Editor's note: With offseason work across the league coming to an end, the focus shifts to the steamy summer workouts ahead. To get you fully primed for the preseason and beyond, Sporting News provides in-depth looks at all 32 teams leading into training camp. Today:Chicago Bears. Prediction: Fourth, NFC North. Up next: AFC South.

Quarterback Jay Cutler's last free pass might have left Chicago with former coach Lovie Smith.

Since Cutler's arrival, it's been everybody else's fault. It was the offensive coordinator's fault, the offensive line's fault, the receivers' faults. In 2012, it was the head coach's fault.

With several starters in contract years, new Bears coach Marc Trestman has the luxury of evaluating who best fits his offense, even if general manager Phil Emery refuses to call this a rebuilding season.

"Not in the NFL," Emery says. "The goal is to win championships, and that is the same goal every year and it will continue to be that goal."

Five potential changes could occur at starting offensive positions, but Cutler is still expected to pick up a new system, produce and win anyway. In essence, the new sheriff in town will try to turn the gunslinger into a cool-and-calculating marksman If not, Cutler could be the next one leaving after four years of unfulfilled expectations in what looks like an evaluation year—if not a rebuilding one—in Chicago.

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Jeffery spent much of the offseason working out with Brandon Marshall to hone his skills and improve conditioning. As a rookie, that poor conditioning in early OTAs and later injuries limited Jeffery to 10 games, 24 receptions and 367 yards. The Bears need more from him in Year 2. It didn't start well with a hamstring injury in OTAs.

"Julius Peppers is still in what you'd have to call a dominant phase. By that I mean he's a guy who requires double-team blocks. You may not even slow him up much just by chipping him. He's never been only a pass-rush guy and always has been an end with great recognition who gets down the line to blow up the interior runs as they start. He's not a high-energy Jared Allen-type, but he's sure not lazy like some people suggest.

"I see, really, no difference in his game now than when he was younger. What you might see this year with a different coaching staff is more sacks from him—even more big plays. They could let him freelance more. The way the Bears played their 4-3 scheme required a lot of discipline from ends. They contained first, especially with the mobile (QBs). It was always 'funnel it inside.' I always felt Peppers was restrained somewhat in Chicago."

INSIDE THE HEADSET

Marc Trestman earned a reputation for a wide-open offense in the CFL and as a NFL assistant, but he's not a reckless gambler. He's also not stubborn. Trestman will use the run, and he brings a practical, exciting approach to offense. Whether he becomes too offense-oriented and can't cater to his defense, if it's the Bears' team strength, is still open to discussion.

Next: view from the other sideline

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View from the other sideline

An opponent breaks down the Bears:

"They never really seemed to achieve close to what they wanted on offense, and a lot of their offense was because of their defense. A lot of their offensive problem is personnel, but they've always been trying to push their system on people. (Mike) Martz did it. (Mike) Tice just had that one year, but he was doing it.

"Marc Trestman doesn't operate that way. He's going to use what he has. It's his system, but he's flexible and is going to use the talent the best way he can to keep chains moving, keep defenses on their heels guessing. He did it when he was (an NFL) coordinator. From what I understand, they operated this way in Canada, too. You expect a more consistent offense from the Bears. Even though (Jay) Cutler hasn't been what you'd want from a guy with his arm, Trestman will get the talent out of him. He always does. Always. Don't be surprised if it starts happening early in the season. Marc doesn't seem like he needs adjustment periods."
Next: analysis of offense

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Analysis: offense

Marc Trestman came from the Canadian Football League, but his offensive background is influenced by legendary coach Bill Walsh.

The Bears will run a version of the West Coast attack that features shorter quarterback drops, fewer deep routes and more involvement from running backs and tight ends in the passing game. Offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer might add a touch of the Saints' offense, but Trestman will call his own plays. It's an offense with a big, complicated playbook.

Quarterbacks:Jay Cutler looked like anything but a West Coast quarterback in 2012. He held the ball too long and targeted Brandon Marshall too much. Cutler regressed into a see-and-throw quarterback rather than one who passes in rhythm.

Cutler hasn't run an offense like Trestman's since Ron Turner was offensive coordinator for Chicago in 2009. It will be interesting to see if Cutler makes a conversion back to the three-step, five-step drop approach. Cutler has never posted a quarterback rating over 88.1 in a full season as starter, and the West Coast attack demands higher efficiency. A rating of 90 or better will be expected from him.

It's ironic the Bears let Jason Campbell leave in free agency because he never fit Mike Tice's offense, but his safer, less-risky approach would have been ideal with Trestman. Chicago retained Josh McCown but needs a young passer to emerge as Cutler's backup if no potential successor exists. GRADE: B-

Running backs: The new rule preventing running backs from lowering their head to run through defenders in the open field should not affect Matt Forte, although he was among the backs who voiced his displeasure.

Forte isn't a power back, and when Michael Bush landed on injured reserve, the Bears lacked a hard-running, short-yardage presence.

Yet Forte is valuable, especially in the new offensive system. He was not used properly in 2012. One of Forte's biggest strengths is catching passes out of the backfield, and he had a career-low 44 receptions.

Given Trestman's West Coast lineage, Forte can count once again on becoming a player in the passing attack. Poor play-calling and injuries kept Forte between 203-258 carries the past four years after he was overworked with 316 carries as a rookie. Forte should be fresh to impress as the breakaway threat.

Bush averaged 3.6 yards per carry, a solid number for a short-yardage back. He figures to be an asset as a runner, blocker and receiver. Expect Trestman to use change-of-pace back Armando Allen effectively in the passing game. Allen has outstanding hands and speed.

The decision to cut troubled fullback Evan Rodriguez led to the signing of Tony Fiammetta, who can be more of a traditional fullback type in this offense. GRADE: B.

Receivers: GM Phil Emery had previously said his team needed a receiving threat in the middle of the field. Acquiring tight end Martellus Bennett solved this. Bennett's presence should help Marshall, who set the franchise record with 118 catches last year. Marshall was targeted on 194 of the team's 485 pass attempts.

Many of Marshall's catches came in the five-to-10-yard range, but Bennett should open up the field and create more yards after the catch for the other receivers. Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Earl Bennett should be more effective as a result. Jeffery and Marshall are adept at back-shoulder plays, and the new offense allows Cutler more opportunities to make those throws. Like Marshall and Jeffery, Bennett provides good hands.

What this group needs to develop is a blazer who runs deep routes and takes the top off a defense, someone with scary speed who can turn short passes into breakaways. The Bears had this with Johnny Knox before his career-ending back surgery. They thought they had it in Devin Hester but discovered his limitations as a route-runner and inability to adjust to the ball in the air. As a result, Chicago phased Hester out of the offense.

The Bears brought back Devin Aromashodu, who spent the past two seasons with the Vikings, but he doesn't really fill the bill. GRADE: B-

Line: Adding free agent Jermon Bushrod provides a major upgrade at left tackle over J'Marcus Webb. Bushrod's familiarity with Offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer in New Orleans made for an ideal addition.

Bushrod's maturity and ability to make adjustments set him apart from Webb, who will find it difficult to win a job at right tackle. Jonathan Scott will fight for that spot. Division rivals Clay Matthews and Jared Allen owned Webb last season — and that's a problem the Bears have to figure out.

Much like every year, it seems, the line remains the team's biggest question mark. Center Roberto Garza is 34 and the guard spots are manned by different players. Rookie Kyle Long should get every chance to start at right guard. Free-agent acquisition Matt Slauson is at left guard. His strength was pass blocking with the Jets, which can't hurt with a unit that last year considered it an improvement to allow 44 sacks, eighth most in the NFL. All the changes on the line mean it will take time to build a cohesive unit. GRADE: D

Next: analysis of defense

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Analysis: defense

New defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is familiar with a variety of 3-4 and 4-3 schemes, but he is smart enough to stick with what works in Chicago. Tucker's version of the Cover 2 and 4-3, however, could involve more blitzing than what Love Smith used.

There might not be the same extreme emphasis on outside-shoulder technique in pass coverage. With linebacker Brian Urlacher retired after being left unsigned, finding on-field leadership from other veterans is the first task for Tucker.

Line:Julius Peppers remains the key for the pass rush, but other threats developed in 2012. Corey Wootton assumed a starting end role, and rookie end Shea McClellin displayed glimpses of ability despite several injuries. McClellin must do better than the 14 total tackles he posted, however.

A key to this year's line was retaining defensive tackle Henry Melton with a franchise tag. Melton, coming off his first Pro Bowl, finally grasped how to play the run and is a versatile performer.

Peppers shows no sign of age at 33 years old. He gutted out an aggravating foot condition and finished with 11.5 sacks last season, his best total in three years with Chicago. Melton's emergence will make it even easier for Peppers by reducing double teams.

Nose tackle Stephen Paea has been effective against the run, but needs consistency and to become more of a closer on pass rush.

Part of the line's success last year stemmed from enough depth that Peppers played close to 75 percent of snaps, his lowest total with the Bears.

Depth could be in question this season, but tackle Nate Collins returns after proving valuable as a reserve last year against the run and pass. Whether the line has the depth needed to keep Peppers and other starters rested could depend on free-agent pickups Sedrick Ellis and Kyle Moore. GRADE: A-

Linebackers: This group has new starters in D.J. Williams and James Anderson, who replace Urlacher and Nick Roach. Williams should actually be an improvement over the aging, injured Urlacher, who played in just 12 games last year. Anderson takes the strong side for Roach. The key is whether or not Williams leaves his off-field problems behind and if Lance Briggs, who turns 33 in November, plays at the same high level. Briggs' spot on the weak side remains the most important linebacker position in the scheme.

Last year some of Urlacher's past Cover 2 responsibilities were shifted to others because of his knee problem. Williams doesn't have the range of a young Urlacher, and he lacks experience in this scheme, but Williams covers and adapts well. The development of depth at these positions is a major focus because there has been little beyond Briggs and Urlacher for years. Rookies Khaseem Greene and Jonathan Bostic will get every chance to contribute on special teams, battle Anderson for playing time and fill in behind Williams and Briggs. GRADE: B-

Secondary:Tim Jennings' jump to a Pro Bowl player proved the greatest surprise of 2012. Now in a contract year, Jennings needs to keep producing turnovers the way he did last year. Charles Tillman became even craftier getting back the football than in years past, and continues to draw top receiver assignments. The 32-year-old two-time Pro Bowler is as lockdown as a zone cornerback can be.

Safeties Major Wright and Chris Conte are underrated. When healthy and together, they've let the Bears secondary make it tough on everyone except Green Bay. The secondary has 31 interceptions against 19 TDs allowed when Conte and Wright start together, and they hold quarterbacks to a 68.9 passer rating. Conte's strong suit is getting deep to prevent big plays. Whether Tucker's scheme uses him in this role all the time might dictate duo's future success. Wright gradually developed more consistency last season.

The Bears have been among the best on special teams for the past decade, and enough talent exists for that to continue.

The big question is whether a 30-year-old Devin Hester returns to form returning punts and kicks. Last season, Hester failed to get a return touchdown for the first time since 2009. He spent last season running backwards, sideways and misfielding punts. That must change.

Kicker Robbie Gould developed better range. He ranks fifth among active kickers in career field-goal percentage at 85.6 percent. Punter Adam Podlesh is coming off of the two best net-punting seasons in team history. Long snapper Patrick Mannelly is entering his 16th year and has enjoyed a career without any glaring mistakes. Solid coverage units will receive a boost by the return of Sherrick McManis. GRADE: A-

Next: bottom line

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Bottom line

A team going through change still has enough talent returning on defense and special teams to make the playoffs. That hope rests on the offensive line, scheme change and Cutler. If line personnel changes and the quicker timing passes give Cutler a chance to throw under less duress, the only question will be how fast the quarterback and receivers develop timing. A slow offensive start should be expected, and an aging defense might lack the strength to bear this burden.